So looking forward to this. Definitely been looking for a new sim since I got tired of EHM.
I know it's been said, but it'll definitely be nice to see it's not just "OOTP on Ice" or "EHM v2" (or v3 or v4 or whatever). I'd even suggest going back to the old freeware EHM game and stealing ideas from that - there were a few things there that were great ideas that I wished they brought over to SI (although I don't remember off the top of my head).
Other things I'd love to see (speaking NHL-oriented), is a thorough way to see draft previews and reviews. So, for example, if there were basic screens that were even as simple as this:
1997 NHL Entry Draft Picks at hockeydb.com to look back on past drafts, that'd be great. And for looking forward, I'd love to see upcoming stories about both the next draft (like currently they release rankings about 3 times in the year leading up to the upcoming draft), and also stories about the next generation of big talents. So we would hear about Crosby or Tavares in news stories since they were like 14, I'd love this new game to have similar stories like that show up.
As long as it's as customizable as OOTP and simulates and feels like a hockey game, I know it'll be great!